Could Jeremy Swayman and Linus Ullmark’s rigorous goalkeeper rotation in the 2024 Stanley Cup playoffs provide the Boston Bruins with a distinct mental edge?
“Absolutely it can,” an NHL pro scout said when asked the same question on Wednesday afternoon. “They can play mind games with opponent scouting staffs, as they have done the past two (including current) regular seasons. Do you know what it’s like to advance scout two goalies in a Stanley Cup playoff series? I know I don’t, and I’m betting none of the other teams do either because it’s never been done.”
The late 1980s/early 1990s Boston Bruins pair of Reggie Lemelin and Andy Moog, particularly in 1988-89, were the closest thing the scout and this pushing 50-year-old puck reporter could come up with. Even yet, the share was not evenly distributed amongst games.
“It’s the game-by-game thing that could give them a huge edge as long as the goalies and players are cool with it,” the scout was quoted as saying. “That’s what it must be, though. You cannot go from two Ullmark to two or three Swayman. Obviously, injuries could dictate that, but even if one player is on fire and the other is decent but not as good as the first, you stick with it. I think this might be a major advantage.”
This past weekend, Boston Bruins head coach Jim Montgomery seemed more receptive to staying with the game-by-game rotation than ever before.
“I think if we commit to a rotation, it’s gonna be Game 1, Game 2, Game 3, [then] Game 4 if that’s what we end up deciding, and then we can go from there,” Montgomery was quoted as saying. “Obviously, performance and postseason success drive a lot of decision-making, but this is what we’re comfortable with. It’s how our goalies are used to prepare.
“We will see what happens. It’s difficult to win Game 1; if you do, do you switch? However, if you’re dedicated to it and believe your goaltenders have had terrific success over the last two years, switching doesn’t make much sense. But, as we all know, results are important, and they happen quickly in the playoffs.”
The decision on a strict rotation between Jeremy Swayman and Linus Ullmark will most likely not be made until the three full days between the Bruins’ final regular season game against the Ottawa Senators next Tuesday at TD Garden and Game 1 of their 2024 playoff series on April 20. If they stick to the strict rotation, their opponent may find themselves in unfamiliar territory while scouting ahead of and throughout the series.
